Berkeley

Ici Ice Cream

College Avenue’s Ici Ice Cream, which was voted among the city’s best ice cream shops by Berkeleyside readers in 2011, is always crowded with fans clamoring for a scoop or two. This swarm grows exponentially on Berkeley’s rare hot summer afternoons and balmy evenings. In addition to the traditional chocolate, vanilla, and fruit flavors, which are made in the store with local and organic ingredients when possible, Ici also offers a variety of unique combinations. On a recent weekday, the flavors included Earl Grey, Honey Lavender, and Chicory Coffee. Ici Ice Cream is at 2948 College Ave. (at Ashby Avenue), Berkeley. Wheelchair accessible. Connect with the ice cream shop on Facebook and Twitter.

Oakland

Curbside Creamery

Curbside Creamery soft serve swirl. Photo: Curbside Creamery

While this reporter generally prefers a simple, well-made vanilla or pistachio ice cream to just about any funky, unique flavor, I’ll admit that the vegan Thai Iced Tea ice cream from Curbside is a favorite. Not too sweet, with robust black tea tannins and subtle nuttiness from the coconut milk base, it is memorable for its restraint as much as for its creamy texture. Curbside’s dairy-based ice creams and soft serves are also excellent; try them in a sandwich or in a house-made waffle cone. Curbside Creamery is at 482 49th St. (at Telegraph Avenue), Oakland.

Smitten Ice Cream

A Brr machine at work at Smitten. Ice cream is made to order, as you watch. Photo: Alex Loescher

The San Francisco-based ice cream shop opened in Rockridge in April 2014, and it serves unique made-to-order desserts using liquid nitrogen. Owner Robin Sue Fisher concocted the concept for Smitten based on a hunch that there should be a way to perfect the freezing process of ice cream, one that would prevent ice crystals from forming and make for a smoother product. By using liquid nitrogen, at -321 degrees Fahrenheit, Fisher developed an ultra-cold churning process. The result is a trademarked Brrr machine (with three patents for the technology), which makes each ice cream to order from scratch in minutes. And it’s not just a gimmick — Smitten’s ice creams are some of the best, most intensely flavored around — try the TCHO chocolate for a demonstration on why simple, quality ingredients are truly swoon-worthy. The ice cream is not cheap, but it’s worth the trip for an occasional treat. Smitten is at 5800 College Ave. (at Birch), Oakland.

Readers’ Picks

Chocolate mousse, Crixa Cakes. Photo: Emilie Raguso

“Sweet Adeline is the BEST bakery in town and their chocolate cream pie is so, so good!!” — Nosh reader

Our Readers’ Picks listing is compiled from our reader survey conducted in early 2016. We’ve listed the top five reader choices in Berkeley, Oakland and Beyond for each meal.